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| Mirlatia arcuata Hausmann, László, Mayr & Huemer, 2023 |
Abstract
A new monotypic genus of Geometridae, Mirlatia gen. nov., and a new species, M. arcuata sp. nov., are described from Croatia. Based on external and genitalia characters, the new genus is tentatively placed in the subfamily Larentiinae. However, the new genus takes a highly isolated position by having unique characters of the tympanum and showing an unusually long pectination of female antennae. Genetic analysis of a fragmented DNA barcode (mtDNA; cytochrome c oxidase 1) did not result in a clear assignation to any geometrid subfamily or tribe. Adults, male and female genitalia, and habitat photos of the type locality of the new species are illustrated.
Key words: Cold-adapted, DNA barcoding, geometer moths, Mediterranean, tympanum
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| Adult. Mirlatia arcuata sp. nov., holotype, male (coll. TLMF). |
Genus Mirlatia gen. nov.
Differential diagnosis: Presence of paired tympanal caves with ansa at the base of the abdomen clearly proves the assignation of the new genus to the family Geometridae. Mirlatia is distinguished from the vast majority of members of the subfamily Ennominae by the tubular M2 vein of the hindwing and the long fusion of hindwing veins Sc+R1 and Rs. It differs from the genera of the subfamilies Ennominae, Geometrinae, Larentiinae, and Sterrhinae by the very broad base and in the lacking apical dilatation of the tympanal ansa. So far, no other geometrid is known to display a similarly shaped ansa, although a broad ansa basis is found in Archiearinae, Desmobathrinae, and Alsophilini, but these groups have an ansa with a pointed tip. The new genus differs from the vast majority of geometrid genera also by the long pectination of the female antenna.
Etymology: The new generic name Mirlatia is introduced as a feminine noun. It is an aggregate of the stems of two latin words, i.e. mir- (stem of the noun mirum, mira meaning surprise(s)) and lat- (latum, the perfect participle form of the verb ferre meaning to bring, referring to the rather surprising discovery of this curious new geometrid moth.
Mirlatia arcuata sp. nov.
Etymology: The species name refers to the arcuate hindwing termen.
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| Habitat of Mirlatia arcuata sp. nov., Croatia, Podgora (photograph S. Gomboc). |
Axel Hausmann, Gyula M. László, Toni Mayr and Peter Huemer. 2023. Surprising Discovery of an enigmatic geometrid in Croatia: Mirlatia arcuata, gen. nov., sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Geometridae). ZooKeys. 1183: 99-110. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1183.110163
